[Mille-Mille]

My DS who is now 11 days old if a very sleepy feeder, he will only stay on for roughly 10 mins before he is finished (either asleep or pulls off). Sometimes i'm able to get him to feed longer but not often, I have used all the tactics such as tickling his feet, changing his nappy, blowing on his face etc..
Today I was lucky enough to get hold of a baby scale so I weighed him before and after a feed and found he had taken in only 50ml in one feed session. He feeds quite often (every hour to 2 hours) and he has gained plenty of weight, so i'm not worried if he is getting enough.

My question is, will he get stronger at feeding as time goes on and hence be able to go longer between feeds? Or do I need to intervene and try to push the time between feeds out longer (I have tried this a bit but he gets so upset if I don't give in and feed, I always give in )

Thanks for any advice i'm so tired I need longer stretches of sleep at night!!

[RachealJane]

My DD was a quick feeder but would want more again about 45mins to an hour later
I just went with it and eventually she did go longer between feeds.

Their tummies are tiny and breastmilk digests very quickly.

[Mille-Mille]

Thanks RachealJane, it's encouraging to know it can improve.

[Mille-Mille]

Anyone else have any advice?

[KRT]

It does get better - just not soon enough

We used to rub a wet cotton ball over DS's cheek to keep him awake, but he was also a really sloooow feeder, like would take an hour to feed, and then would want one two hours after the start of the first feed. At around 12 weeks we did start using gentle distraction to encourage him to go at least 3 hours between feeds, and it was really helpful for him - the feeds were faster, and he was much more settled. However, 12 weeks is very different to 12 days...

Does your local area have a free breastfeeding clinic? It could be worth going to see if they have any suggestions about what you could do to encourage him to take more - or just to provide reassurance that you're doing well

[Donna&J]

I think you aren't supposed to start pushing the feeds out until at least a few months - you don't want to mess up your supply.
Re day and night, the only thing you can do is make a big distinction between day (bright, get out in the morning sun, have a little play - just 10 minutes or so) and night (dim, quiet, no play).

[Goggie]

In the nicest possible way, you need to relax a little:)
Your baby is only 11 days old. 50 ml is quite normal in terms of volume, particularly if he's feeding often. You may find he feeds little and often for quite a few months yet. Don't try and stretch him out before he's ready, it will only annoy him and damage your supply.

My DS has always been an efficient short feeder. Even now he feeds 5 mins each side and he's done. Feeds every 2.5 hours or so at 5.5 months and I'm not worried about him getting enough. He's putting on weight even though small for his age and seems happy with what he's getting.

Thanks for any advice i'm so tired I need longer stretches of sleep at night!!

Lol. It may be a number of weeks before you get longer stretches tbh, for us he started sleeping for 4 hours around 8 weeks, then 6-8 hours by 12 weeks and now it's back to 5-6 in one stretch. A full nights uninterrupted sleep is a distant memory!!

The best piece of advice someone gave me was trust yourself. You are doing everything right.
The early weeks suck. Hope you get some more sleep soon.

[Mille-Mille]

In the nicest possible way, you need to relax a little:)

Your right, I do need to relax!
I had so much trouble feeding DD, ended up express feeding for 4 months which was exhausting. I told myself this time I would be more relaxed and try to take it as it comes (easier said than done apparently!).
He is gaining weight well so far so I will try to chill out

[CharliMarley]

This is quite normal newborn behaviour, because babies have tiny tummies and 50ml at that feed would be good and he probably takes more at another feed and over the whole 24 hours, when his is feeding every two hours or so, he is getting what he wants, so stop worrying too much. He will let you know when he is hungry and he is also very sleepy, because there is a hormone in the breastmilk for the first 6 weeks, which keeps babies sleepy. This hormone starts to wane by about 6 weeks and he will be awake more. He will also be growing all the time and he will feed for longer as he gets stronger. Meanwhile go with the flow and you will have a very happy breastfeeding journey.

[CharliMarley]

My question is, will he get stronger at feeding as time goes on and hence be able to go longer between feeds? Or do I need to intervene and try to push the time between feeds out longer (I have tried this a bit but he gets so upset if I don't give in and feed, I always give in )

Thanks for any advice i'm so tired I need longer stretches of sleep at night!!

No, don't do this pushing the time between feeds or your breasts will think the milk is not wanted. Just do what he wants and he will get stronger and better. Perhaps you could sleep with him beside your bed and just reach out and bring him into bed to feed and then put him back beside you in his own little bed or small bassinette. Then you can all get more sleep.